LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets' star guard, has reportedly grown frustrated with the organization and is open to a trade, according to multiple league sources. However, Ball dismissed the rumors on social media with a clown emoji. The 24-year-old has appeared in just nine games this season due to injury, as the Hornets sit at 4-11.
The Charlotte Hornets are off to a disappointing 4-11 start in the 2025-26 NBA season, including a 127-119 road loss to the 2-13 Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, marking their fourth straight defeat and dropping them to 12th in the Eastern Conference. In that game, Ball was benched for the final 4:32 of regulation, finishing with 18 points on 5-for-21 shooting and six turnovers in 27 minutes.
Ball's efficiency has declined sharply in his sixth season, averaging career lows of 38.5% from the field and 29.8% from three-point range, though he leads the league with a career-high 9.6 assists per game. Despite his struggles, the Hornets are 17.3 points per 100 possessions better with Ball on the floor, per Cleaning the Glass. He has missed most of the season with a right ankle injury, appearing in only nine games.
Head coach Charles Lee has implemented a more deliberate offensive system emphasizing ball movement and empowering players like Brandon Miller (out with a shoulder injury) and Miles Bridges, while developing rookie Kon Knueppel. However, Charlotte ranks 19th in offensive efficiency and 20th in pace, despite Ball's preference for a faster tempo.
Yahoo Sports reported Thursday that Ball is increasingly frustrated and open to a trade, with the front office hesitant to commit to him long-term due to his injury history and $37.9 million salary this year, plus over $130 million remaining over the next three seasons. Potential landing spots include the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and Portland Trail Blazers, where his playmaking could thrive in structured environments.
Ball quickly responded on X with a clown emoji, indicating the reports are unfounded. The Hornets are not actively shopping him, preferring to evaluate the team once healthy, but playoff contenders like Orlando and Houston are monitoring the situation.
